Water on the Earth Notes

1. Water on the Earth Notes Earth Science Grade 8

2. The Earth is the only planet in the solar system to be covered in water. • Water covers about 75% of the Earth’s surface. • Any place on the Earth that contains water is called the hydrosphere.

3. Of the water on the Earth, 97% is salt water and 3% is fresh. • Almost 67% of all the fresh water is locked up in glaciers near the North and South Poles. • That leaves just 1% of all the water on the planet available for plants and animals to live on.

4. Water Percentages 33% of 3% = only 1% for all plants and animals to use 3% 97% 33% available to use 67% locked in glaciers

5. Water constantly moves through the atmosphere by the water cycle. • Water that does not soak into the ground or evaporate into the atmosphere is called runoff. • RUNOFF=RIVERS

6. Water Cycle Animation • http://epa.gov/climatechange/kids/water_cycle_version2.html

7. Four factors affecting absorption of rain • Amount of rainfall Heavy downpour = A lot of runoff Light, misty rain= Little run off

8. Four factors affecting absorption of rain • Time span of the rain • 2 inches of rain in 1 hour = a lot of runoff • 2 inches of rain in 1 week = little runoff

9. Velocity of the Rivers Fastest at 1) very center of the river 2)outside of the meander 2 1

10. Erosion/Deposition of a River • Erosion occurs on the outside of the river meander • Deposition occurs on the inside of the river meander

11. Bed load and Suspended load • Bed load: material that rolls along the bottom of the river • Suspended load: material that floats suspended in the water

12. Development of an Oxbow lake 1. Oxbow lake: cutoff meander 2. 3. 4.